updated 10:45 am EDT, Tue May 13, 2008

BlackBerry Thunder Rumor

The first early details have surfaced regarding Research in Motion's first touchscreen device and position it as a direct answer to the iPhone, according to a rumor launched by BGR. Tentatively labeled as the BlackBerry Thunder for the public and the 9500 with its model number, the device bucks earlier expectations by dropping any signs of a physical keyboard in place of an almost entirely touch-driven interface. Only the call, answer, BlackBerry, and escape keys survive the transition, according to the claim.

The device may also have the most technically advanced cellular wireless support ever, according to the claim. If accurate, the Thunder would include both CDMA and GSM support for world roaming, and would also handle 3.5G or pre-4G data: it may support up to Ultra Mobile Broadband (also known as EVDO Revision C) on CDMA networks, downloading up to 280Mbps in peak conditions, while adding full High Speed Packet Access support on GSM services. This support would allow the new BlackBerry to operate in nearly any country with 3G or better Internet access.

This dual-mode operation will be key to the launch strategy, the report states. Both Verizon and its European stakeholder Vodafone will allegedly share the device as perpetual exclusives in their respective service areas and are counting on strong sales for the hardware in the US as part of the deal; a sales shortfall at Verizon would end the exclusivity arrangement and allow other carriers such as Sprint to offer the Thunder.

An announcement of the phone may occur as early as summer of this year, according to the rumor, putting the handset in competition with the 3G iPhone. The apparent leak is nonetheless labeled as early information that may be subject to change.

Electronista readers should note that the reported launch information also conflicts with some of Verizon's existing and future plans. The company today operates a relatively slower EVDO Revision A service for data and has already announced plans to switch to Long Term Evolution for its next-generation wireless network, dropping CDMA entirely in favor of a 700MHz 4G standard that it will likely share with AT&T, Vodafone, and other carriers that today use GSM.

Verizon hasn't announced plans to upgrade its EVDO support beyond Revision A and says it will launch LTE by late 2009, with wider service most likely available by 2010. Vodafone already supports HSPA but itself says it will switch to LTE in a similar timeframe.

iPhone Lightning

re: touch screens

So, you're saying that people should avoid all phones except those with multi-touch screens, because anything else is just poor imitation? Yet, if they used multi-touch, people would just proclaim they were imitating apple. So, I guess it comes down to that all phone companies should just stop developing phones, as they'll be nothing but piss-poor comparisons to the greatest device ever made.

And, as for the mock-up, it is a MOCK-UP! Saying "It's a copy!" because some mock-up looks like it is just pointless. But, even so, how could it be much different than an iPhone if you are planning on doing a large screen on the device? It's not like there's much design choice after that.

Where's the keyboard?

No way are loyal BlackBerry fans going to put up with a touch-screen BB without an honest-to-goodness keyboard. So unless this model has a slide out keyboard, RIM won't be able to sell it to it's own user base. RIM's president said that screen keyboards suck (especially the iPhone). RIM is going to figure a way how to pop up keys right from the screen. Mark my words. Haha.

Personally, I think BlackBerrys are cool, keyboards and all. I think there's enough room for both iPhones and BlackBerrys in the smartphone world and the choices are great for users.

re: Touch screens

No, My point is really clear, you are NOT going to have an iPhone killer JUST because you have a touch screen. Touch screen has been around forever, no one has done anything truly innovative with it. You have to have a touch screen that really works, and so far, the Multi-touch is the ONLY one that really works at the level that it does, yes, touch screens will work fine when all you want it to do is detect you pushing a button. It can help you innovate the software, but they won't

Yes I know it is a Mock up, read what I wrote and you'll see that, what I pointed out was RIM was riding the success of Apple's design and it is SO obvious when you take their Bold unit, remove the keyboard and there, you have a Thunder Mockup, which looks just like an iPhone. Unless you yourself are a designer you won't understand how frustrating it is to have someone essentially copy your design, then put it out there like is some innovation they worked on for a long time. I've been in that situation far to often to stand for it. I was more pointing out that the ACTUAL BB Bold is the copycat, not the Mockup of a yet to be released product. Why does the Bold look the way it does? There is no necessity to the way they designed that device other than to make it look like something it is not.

There is all sorts of design choice if you are doing a touch screen on a phone that won't make it look like an iPhone, they could have made it look like a product they already have, or a completely different maker. Does it have to be shiny black with a chrome edge around it? No, there are all sorts of colors, shapes, and materials out there.

Ugh!

Yet another iSomething "killer" article? Please stop with these nonsense, sensationalist article titles already! There hasn't been a single product yet that has killed the iPod or iPhone, let alone provided it with any fierce competition.

Call it what it is; RIMs answer to the iPhone and related touch screen. Not that it will amount to much of an answer mind you, but I guess RIM is more concerned about the success of the iPhone/iPod touch than they first let on about.

RIM

RIM is not going to get killed (yet) by the iPhone, they've got a pretty healthy share of the market and it's going to take a few years to see who comes out on top... but right now I'd put my money on Apple. I don't think RIM will go belly-up but I think in 5 years they will be like Palm is now (has-been) and Palm will be dead or bought within 2 years.

Tom Cruise:

I just wonder

Once BB's lose their keyboards, what would be the big draw, crappy iTunes integration, lack of Safari web engine tech, inability to synch with iApps? I guess if you have a pc and you just can't get with iTunes you might see it as an alternative. I find it hard to believe that in 2 years though the iPhone won't have several times more software and capabilities than the BB and all Apple needs to due is make a keyboard attachment to take away the biggest difference.